Consecutive Even Integers

The ages of three brothers are consecutive even integers. Three times the age of the youngest brother exceeds the oldest brother’s age by 48 years. What is the age of the youngest brother?

If the ages of the three brothers are consecutive even integers, then their ages differ by 2 years each.
Let x be the age of the youngest brother. Then the age of the next brother must be two years more --- x + 2. And the age of the oldest must be two more -- x + 4.

Your problem then says that three times the age of the youngest brother (3 times x) exceeds (subtract) the age of the oldest brother (x + 4) by 48 years.

Your equation then is 3x - (x + 4) = 48 [Note: Since you are subtracting the entire age of the older brother, you need the parentheses.]

Your equation is ready to be solved. I hope this helped.